Nita Sue Lowey (née Melnikoff) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New York from 1989 until her retirement in 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented the 20th congressional district from 1989 to 1993, the 18th district from 1993 to 2013, and the 17th district from 2013 to 2021, covering northern suburbs of New York City such as White Plains, Purchase, Tarrytown, Mount Kisco, and Armonk. Lowey began her career in public service working on Mario Cuomo's 1974 campaign for lieutenant governor of New York and served as assistant secretary of state in New York for 13 years. She rose to prominence as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and was co-dean of the New York congressional delegation alongside Eliot Engel. Throughout her career, Lowey was a staunch defender of U.S. aid to Israel, advocating strongly for Israel and Jewish causes, as well as championing women's rights, education, and health care. Born in the Bronx, New York, she graduated as senior class president from the Bronx High School of Science and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Mount Holyoke College, with a focus on antitrust and consumer protection issues. After raising her family, she entered politics and maintained her active role until she chose not to seek re-election in 2020, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. Lowey was of Jewish descent and passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 87.